Best Allan Clare Podcasts (2025)

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A Quiet Evening of Readings, from the Poignant, through Baffling, to Scholarly 50:39

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4h ago50:39

50:39

Send us a text Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and architecture. Gretel invites you to accompany her as she navig…

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We visit a 12th Century Somerset Church; Rev Amos Barton buries his Wife; and we celebrate the Life of Congar 34:28

5h ago34:28

34:28

Send us a text Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and architecture. Gretel invites you to accompany her as she navig…

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Anne Boleyn is Denied Marriage to Lord Percy; The Stair Where You Sit; Saint Catherine of Alexandria 39:38

12h ago39:38

39:38

Send us a text Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and architecture. Gretel invites you to accompany her as she navig…

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We visit Tess of the D’Urbevilles’ village, church and baby’s ’grave’ 39:44

7h ago39:44

39:44

Send us a text Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and architecture. Gretel invites you to accompany her as she navig…

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In Praise of The Rest is History and The History of England podcasts; The Blackmore Vale; and Cardinal Wolsey’s Banquet 37:13

1d ago37:13

37:13

Send us a text https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk/ Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and architecture. Gretel invite…

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The Dream of the Rood; Samuel Pepys’ Fury; and the mighty Columbanus 37:28

1h ago37:28

37:28

Send us a text Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and architecture. Gretel invites you to accompany her as she navig…

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King Eadmund chooses Martyrdom; Hurrah for Nanny; and Wilfrid masterminds a Moment in Time at Ripon 48:04

3h ago48:04

48:04

Send us a text Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and architecture. Gretel invites you to accompany her as she navig…

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Edgar Allan Poe delights; Rev Barton angers; Mrs Pepys fret; and Gretel delves too densely into medieval ecclesiastical conflict. 1:01:03

2h ago1:01:03

1:01:03

Send us a text Thank you so much for your support. I’m particularly grateful to you if you subscribe. Subscribers receive a couple of packages a year and much love and appreciation from me. This podcast is a labour of love but it would be wonderful to make a little bit of income, to cover the sundries of life as I visit churches around Britain. Eve…

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The Almoner rises to Henry VIII’s favourite; 1663 begins; and time is stilled by Emily Dickinson 38:28

8d ago38:28

38:28

Send us a text Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and architecture. Gretel invites you to accompany her as she navig…

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Cavendish begins his Life of Cardinal Wolsey; the Rev Bartons receive a surprise Guest; and John Clare takes us to the bountiful Hedgerows 57:57

6h ago57:57

57:57

Send us a text Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and architecture. Gretel invites you to accompany her as she navig…

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Samuel Pepys ends 1662 contentedly; and a Scattering of Ponderings by the Meadow 35:02

10h ago35:02

35:02

Send us a text Hello and good evening. Thank you so much for joining me. 🤗 Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and ar…

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American Civil War; Chad steals Wilfrid’s See; and Christianity as shared currency 42:30

5h ago42:30

42:30

Send us a text Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and architecture. Gretel invites you to accompany her as she navig…

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St Edwold’s Church; and George Eliot’s Genius 46:22

1d ago46:22

46:22

Send us a text Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and architecture. Gretel invites you to accompany her as she navig…

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Galsworthy’s Little John Sleeps at Last, with John Clare Floating Us to a Gentle Place 24:57

2d ago24:57

24:57

Send us a text Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and architecture. Gretel invites you to accompany her as she navig…

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Gretel drinks from the Well of Loquaciousness in Sherborne Abbey’s Nooks and her Memories’ Military Crannies; Saint Wilfrid and Other Saints; An Anglo-Saxon Poem; and a Lithping George Eliot 1:03:55

14d ago1:03:55

1:03:55

Send us a text Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and architecture. Gretel invites you to accompany her as she navig…

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John Galsworthy: he was filled to the brim of his soul with restlessness and the want of something - not a tree, not a gun - something soft. 22:05

3d ago22:05

22:05

Send us a text Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and architecture. Gretel invites you to accompany her as she navig…

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John Galsworthy’s Awakening; The Howards; Saint Wilfrid becomes Bishop; and Clerical Fuss and Nonsense with George Eliot 1:01:43

5d ago1:01:43

1:01:43

Send us a text Thank you so much for joining me dear friends and new companions. Welcome to this odd, wholly unprofessional and low-key podcast where we take each day as it comes. Enjoying literature, art, history, architecture and the natural world about us. It would be lovely if you would forward this episode to someone who you think might like s…

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17th Century Marital Strife; Rev Barton’s Wife Warms his Slippers; and Shakespeare Ponders the Brave Day sunk in Hideous Night 42:05

12d ago42:05

42:05

Send us a text Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and architecture. Gretel invites you to accompany her as she navig…

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To Discern and Love Sincerity of Purpose; and an Anglo-Saxon Seafarer 40:25

16d ago40:25

40:25

Send us a text Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and architecture. Gretel invites you to accompany her as she navig…

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Sincerity of Purpose in Shepperton; Athelhampton; and Wilfred’s X-Factor 38:37

8d ago38:37

38:37

Send us a text Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and architecture. Gretel invites you to accompany her as she navig…

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This thou perceiv’st, which makes thy love more strong, To love that well which thou must leave ere long. 37:24

16d ago37:24

37:24

Send us a text Good evening and welcome to today’s second episode. How are you? What are you up to? Are you filled with peace and contentment, or with awful negative thoughts like shame and guilt. We plague ourselves with such unhelpful thoughts and it’s an uncomfortable and rotten way to live. We know from others around us that everyone does and s…

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Dorset Churches; Remembrance Bells; and Sherborne School 43:26

9d ago43:26

43:26

Send us a text Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and architecture. Gretel invites you to accompany her as she navig…

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A happy marriage in the Pepys household; The Seafarer; and Saint Willibrord 45:37

11d ago45:37

45:37

Send us a text Thank you so much for joining me. Do tell me about yourself and feel free to give me feedback. I hope you are well and that you feel safe, happy and well. Love Gretel 😊 Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art …

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The Swollen Moon; Templecombe Church; and The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle 52:08

12d ago52:08

52:08

Send us a text Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and architecture. Gretel invites you to accompany her as she navig…

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Wherefore no man grows wise without he have his share of winters 19:48

13d ago19:48

19:48

Send us a text Thank you for joining me dear friends and newcomers. Onwards we walk, gently and with love, one day at a time. Curiosity about the world and its history and its wonders, is the watchword. Today we read George Eliot and and Old English poem The Wanderer. Mr Katt makes a star appearance 🤭 Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look…

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Sir Walter Scott; A Brace of Saints; and Good Samuel Pepys 32:48

14d ago32:48

32:48

Send us a text Hello and thank you so much for joining me this evening. It’s an honour to have your company 🤗🥳🍂 Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, t…

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Beowulf, Bede and a Glaswegian Cabbie 37:08

22d ago37:08

37:08

Send us a text Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and architecture. Gretel invites you to accompany her as she navig…

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Widsith, Alfred and Gratitude 24:50

16d ago24:50

24:50

Send us a text Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and architecture. Gretel invites you to accompany her as she navig…

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A Line in the Sand ↗️ 6:08

18d ago6:08

6:08

Send us a text Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and architecture. Gretel invites you to accompany her as she navig…

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Anglo-Saxon Mood Music with Chastisement and Ruin 34:46

24d ago34:46

34:46

Send us a text Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and architecture. Gretel invites you to accompany her as she navig…

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The Evolution of Church Architecture; Saint Frideswide and Gretel climbs a Bell Tower 🔔 35:17

29d ago35:17

35:17

Send us a text Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and architecture. Gretel invites you to accompany her as she navig…

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A Somerset church and wonderful May; Goats, cows, sheep abound; and Pepys whips his poor boy until he own up to his lies 31:46

1M ago31:46

31:46

Send us a text Hello and thank you so much for joining me this balmy October Thursday. There will be two episodes today: in this one we go church exploring; the second one we will catch up with the literature. I hope you are well and coping with all life’s challenges. Thank you for your lovely emails. 😊 Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to lo…

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The Hedgehogs are Awake still; Philippa Langley; Pepys collects the Portuguese Queen’s Dowry; and there is an Embarrassment of Ponderations 🥴 39:04

2M ago39:04

39:04

Send us a text Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and architecture. Gretel invites you to accompany her as she navig…

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Three Men (and a 🐕) out of their Boat; a Medley of Saints; accompanied by Jackdaws and Robins 34:06

2M ago34:06

34:06

Send us a text Hello and a very good morning from Buckfast Abbey. Today we finish Three Men in a Boat and I wend my way back to Dorset, where the cat and dog will need their usual post-separation reassurance. The sun is shining here and I hope it is for you too. Thank you for joining me. 😀🌳🍂 Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the b…

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Buckfast Abbey; John Clare and Saints Bruno and Foy. 27:41

2M ago27:41

27:41

Send us a text Good evening. This is the first of two episodes, and this one ends without so much as a goodbye, for which I apologise. Come with me to Devonshire where we rest at a place of peace and tranquility. Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets f…

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An Unexpected Chat with Genius Composer Matthew Coleridge; and the beautiful sounds within Sherborne Abbey 32:42

2M ago32:42

32:42

Send us a text Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and architecture. Gretel invites you to accompany her as she navig…

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Autumnal Interlude 🍁🍂🦔 43:01

2M ago43:01

43:01

Send us a text Good evening This is a little interlude, reading a chapter from Eleanor Parker’s lovely book ‘Winters in the World’, about the Anglo-Saxon year. This is the chapter about the difficult-to-grasp season of Autumn 🍂 I hope you are well! 🤗🍂🦔 Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day a…

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A Murmuration of Ponderings; Pepys visits Portsmouth & Southampton; A Note on Medieval Church Monuments; and The Great War Blights Families, Communities and the Minds of the Returning Men 1:09:06

2M ago1:09:06

1:09:06

Send us a text Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and architecture. Gretel invites you to accompany her as she navig…

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A Teeny Witter or Interlude 7:10

2M ago7:10

7:10

Send us a text Hello, this is another recording that I couldn’t work out how to add to, but rather than delete it, here it is. I arrive at the beautiful driveway to Kelvedon Hall, where nuthatches, buzzards and coots abound. 😊 Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with …

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The George and Dragon at Wargrave; Montmorency burns his Snout; and Gretel heads for Essex 37:05

2M ago37:05

37:05

Send us a text Good morning. Today Jerome K Jerome’s gentlemen (et chien) visit The George and Dragon at Wargrave and The Bull Inn at Sonning. Both pubs are still open and thriving and I’ve popped photographs onto social media. Isn’t it every English person’s dream to walk, row, cycle or chug along the Thames from source to tide? I’m heading to Kel…

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Montmorency Retreats from The Cat; Pepys is Revolted by a Floating Corpse; and Elgar ends our Ponder 🌝 32:45

2M ago32:45

32:45

Send us a text Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and architecture. Gretel invites you to accompany her as she navig…

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Montmorency does not like Cats 🐈‍⬛; The Knave of Knaresborough; and Exmoor is depicted to Perfection 39:33

2M ago39:33

39:33

Send us a text Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and architecture. Gretel invites you to accompany her as she navig…

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The Wind is finally in the Boat’s Favour; A meandering Ponder in the Garden; and we celebrate Maurice and Matthew 32:38

2M ago32:38

32:38

Send us a text Thank you for joining me today. I am optimistic about the week ahead and I hope you are too. The cloud has finally shifted here in England and that makes an awful lot of difference. I’ll try to give a 🦔update soon. I’m putting food out for them every night and it completely disappears! 😄 Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to loo…

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Pepys Sings Gaze Not Upon Swans 🦢; Three Men and Their Boat; and we ponder the ancient Washing of Feet and Hands 🙌🏻 44:07

2M ago44:07

44:07

Send us a text A poem by Henry Noel (Elizabethan Courtier) Gaze not on Swans Gaze not on swans in whose soft breast A full hatcht beauty seems to nest, Nor snow which falling from the sky, Hovers in its virginity. Gaze not on roses though new blown Grac’d with a fresh complexion, Nor lilly which no subtle bee Hath rob'd by kissing chemistry. Gaze n…

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A Cut-short mini episode with Mr Katt and a Delightful lady in Dunster Museum 10:11

2M ago10:11

10:11

Send us a text Hello, I was unable to add to this episode, sadly, so in despair I’ll publish it as a mini-episode, like a tapas plate. Love Gretel 🦔🤗🙋‍♀️ Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly t…

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Pomp & Circumstance; From Trenches to Moon’s Dug-out; and Romeo & Juliet’s terrible First Performance 38:19

2M ago38:19

38:19

Send us a text Hello and thank you so much for joining me. I hope you are well! I look forward to taking you to some Exmoor churches over the next few days. Thank you for your support and kind emails. Gretel x Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from…

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Elgar, Wordsworth, Tracks, Midweek Music and Saints 32:04

2M ago32:04

32:04

Send us a text Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and architecture. Gretel invites you to accompany her as she navig…

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Philip Mould OBE, Art Historian and Lovely Chap, chats to Gretel about Art 46:38

3M ago46:38

46:38

Send us a text Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and architecture. Gretel invites you to accompany her as she navig…

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Gretel aborts a launch into Egyptian Monasticism; and goes down a Sutton Hoo rabbit-hole 40:08

3M ago40:08

40:08

Send us a text Good evening and a very warm wishes to you this darkening Friday evening. Thank you for your support despite episodes that fail in part; such is the consequence of a daily podcast which means it’s more of a ‘blurt’ or ‘stream of consciousness’ with the aid of little-reconnoitred material. At some point do I move to one or two episode…

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Three Men and their Boat get to Walton; We ponder St Gregory’s Mission in Kent; and Mr Robin barks at the Magpies 36:17

3M ago36:17

36:17

Send us a text I’m so sorry this is so late. I forgot to press ‘publish’ ☺️ Support the show Gretel le Maître likes to look for the beauty and curiosities in life, one day at a time. She shares with you snippets from books about history, art and literature and regularly takes you on adventures to new locations, to explore churches, cathedrals and a…